10-day Discovering the Real Nicaragua

On this 10-day Nicaragua itinerary, you’ll experience culture, adventure and conservation! Start with a city tour of Matagalpa and visit El Castillo de Cacao chocolate factory. Stay at an ecolodge located in the small coffee producing community of La Fundadora and learn the history of the village and the coffee making process. Next, it’s time for adventure in Somoto! Zipline, hike and camp in the canyon. End your trip on the Pacific Coast where you’ll volunteer at Padre Ramos/Icapo turtle station and help protect hawksbill turtles.

The Highlights:

Visit the bustling city of Matagalpa, surrounded by the Apente Mountain Range, and known for the production of high quality coffee. Here, take a tour of the city and El Castillo de Cacao chocolate factory.

Head north to the small coffee producing community of La Fundadora. Here, stay at a community-run ecolodge and learn the history of the village and the coffee making process. You’ll also enjoy traditional Nicaraguan food, participate in a reforestation project and learn about the making of black pottery.

Next, it’s time for adventure in Somoto! Fly above the trees in the La Brellera Canopy Ziplines, hike into Somoto canyon and set up your campsite for the night. After a night under the stars, spend the day exploring the canyon and swimming in Coco River.

Make your way to the Pacific Coast and arrive at Padre Ramos/Icapo Turtle Station. This is a protected nature reserve with one of the largest mangrove estuaries remaining in Central America and a critical nesting site for the hawksbill sea turtle. Learn about the project while you clean the beach of debris and clear a path for nesting turtles. You’ll also kayak through the mangroves and take a day hike to the crater lagoon of Cosiguina Volcano.

Trip Details

Where: Nicaragua

When: Year round (turtle nesting season runs late June through late October)